By mamichael on Dec 31, 2007 in Sermons | comments(0)
“The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives.” Titus 2:12
Well, hopefully you’re finished by now. The shopping is all done, the presents are wrapped. Walmart is probably still open if you aren’t there yet. We have made it through another year of that frenzy of gift buying, of making lists and bustling from store to store. We will dread those credit card balances next month, but well, it’s Christmas, and you have to buy gifts for those you love. Continued
By Senior Warden on Dec 23, 2007 in Sermons | comments(0)
On the last Sunday of Advent, Father Neale Morgan asks: “What changes the human heart to make it dream of forgiveness rather than search for punishment?”
By mamichael on Dec 17, 2007 in Of Interest | comments(0)
Today, December 17, begins an eight day time of prayer in preparation for the Christmas Feast. The O Antiphons are a short series of prayers that are especially associated with Evening Prayer in these days before Christmas, with one assigned for each day. Today, we begin with the prayer “O Sapientia” or “O Wisdom of God”. Each of the antiphons traces one of the Old Covenant’s great promises about the Messiah that we see fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Follow these links to learn more about the antiphons. and use them in your own recitation of Evening Prayer or for meditation. Â
The Advent O Antiphons
Full Homely Divinity. Use page labeled “The Great O Antiphons”
For an audio recording of the Antiphons sung with the Song of Mary, see New Liturgical Movement. Scroll down to the post entitled “O Antiphons”
By mamichael on Dec 16, 2007 in Sermons | comments(0)
“Among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” St. Matthew 11:11
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
      About a month ago, I was inducted into the Sharpsburg Lions Club. The induction took place at the Club’s annual Charter Night out at the Beaver Creek Country Club, which featured a nice dinner and speeches by the great and the good of Lionism far and wide. Continued
By mamichael on Dec 9, 2007 in Administrative, Sermons | comments(0)
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.” Isaiah 11:1-2
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
           You may not have known this when you chose me as your rector, but before I came to Saint Paul’s, I hadn’t held a significant leadership position in eleven years. Since I stepped down as the student council president at Clear Spring High School, I’ve done many things, but being in charge has not been one of them. Continued
By mamichael on Dec 5, 2007 in Of Interest | comments(0)
Enjoy this wonderful Advent Calendar produced by the Diocese of Washington. Featuring pictures from the National Cathedral’s Creche Collection, scripture passages and seasonal music, it is a wonderful resource for your devotional life in this season of preparation.
http://www.edow.org/spirituality/advent/index.html
By mamichael on Dec 5, 2007 in Articles | comments(0)
I’m probably not the only person in town for whom it has taken awhile to get used to the new stop signs at the intersection of Hall and Chapline Streets. I completely understand and agree with the good reasons behind trying to slow down traffic on Chapline Street. That little “New” sign above the red hexagon has also been helpful. But I’ve found it pretty tough to remember to come to a full stop on my way back from work every day. I doubt that I’m the only one. I just hope Officer Payne doesn’t read this column too closely. Continued
By mamichael on Dec 3, 2007 in Sermons | comments(0)
“He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As you have probably read in the news this week, talk of peace in the Middle East is back on the agenda. At a conference convened by our president at the Naval Academy, some forty world leaders gathered from Israel and 15 Arab countries to restart a process of negotiations that has been stalled for the last eight years. There was talk of a document by 2008, but nobody committed to much of anything. The cynical are calling it little more than a glorified photo op or a last ditch attempt by the president to develop a legacy. Others see it as a hopeful sign that can provide the symbolic foundation for more difficult negotiations in days to come. Continued
